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A Wisconsin couple spent CAD $921,00 on a saltbox-style oceanfront residence where they eventually plan to live.
Ann and Joe Bennett were thinking ahead. A public school teacher and an associate director at a biotech company, respectively, they were imagining what their lives could be like in retirement, even though that milestone was still a few years away.
A Wisconsin couple nearing retirement hired Hoyles Architecture to design a saltbox-style home in Newfoundland that they could rent out before living there full-time.
Photo: Jane Brokenshire
The couple have grown children and established lives in Madison, Wisconsin, and thought they might stay put. But then they went up to Canada in 2019. "We fell in love with Newfoundland while on a family trip," Joe says. "After returning home, I contacted a realtor who sent us weekly listings, and he found this property on the Bonavista Peninsula."
Since the cod fishing industry faded some three decades ago, about as long as the Bennetts have been married, the area has shifted its attention to tourism. The couple were charmed by the natural beauty of seaside cliffs where otters and whales routinely dot the surface, and hiking trails that lead to icebergs. The land their realtor helped them find overlooks the Atlantic but is still only a few minutes from town.
Editor’s note: Figures are in Canadian dollars and exclude the designer’s fee.
| $45,000 Land | $15,000 Site Work | $45,000 Foundation |
| $117,000 Structural | $28,000 Wall Finishes | $36,000 Flooring |
| $40,000 Roofing | $12,000 Hardware | $24,000 Electrical |
| $31,000 Plumbing | $17,000 HVAC Equipment | $14,000 Landscaping |
| $18,000 Kitchen & Bath Fixtures | $8,500 Lighting | $18,000 Cabinetry |
| $17,000 Countertops | $7,000 Appliances | $65,000 Windows & Glazing |
| $15,000 Doors | $22,000 Millwork | $16,000 Tilework |
| $39,000 Metalwork | $21,000 Furnishings & Decor | $1,000 Permitting |
| $215,000 Labor | $26,000 General Contractor Fee | $8,500 Waste/Debris Removal |
| Grand Total: $921,000 | ||
The exterior is clad in white cedar shingles and shiplap.
Photo: Jane Brokenshire
Birch cabinetry and Dekton countertops keep the kitchen minimal, which was a request from the owners to keep attention on the views. Ann and Joe spent CAD $18,000 on the cabinets and CAD $17,000 on the counters.
Photo: Jane Brokenshire
See the full story on Dwell.com: Budget Breakdown: They Built a Home in Newfoundland for Retirement. Until Then, You Can Book a Stay
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By: Kelly Dawson
Title: Budget Breakdown: They Built a Home in Newfoundland for Retirement. Until Then, You Can Book a Stay
Sourced From: www.dwell.com/article/budget-breakdown-windhaven-hoyles-architecture-aging-in-place-design-6d4df601
Published Date: Fri, 17 Oct 2025 15:42:22 GMT
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